From collaborative robots to internet of cobots: Innovations, applications, and emerging trends

Collaborative robots (cobots) have revolutionized industrial automation by enabling seamless human–robot interaction in shared workspaces. These advanced robots are designed to work alongside humans, enhancing productivity, efficiency, and safety through sophisticated sensing and control capabilities. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of collaborative robotics, while introducing the Internet of Cobots (IoC) as a pivotal enabler of next-generation manufacturing systems. Through IoC capabilities, cobots are transforming industrial environments by implementing advanced safety protocols, enabling dynamic task allocation, and achieving seamless integration with human workers over 5G networks. This paper synthesizes the key technological advancements, starting from fundamental sensing, control, and actuation architectures to sophisticated artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms that enable human-like adaptability. Special attention is given to the industrial safety norms that enhance workplace safety of the IoC through real-time data sharing of job processing, human proximity, and potential hazards, while building trust in the decision-making of human–robot collaboration. This review highlights emerging trends within the Industry 5.0 paradigm, where IoC-enabled cobots drive the human-centric and personalized manufacturing processes. By providing a comprehensive overview of networked cobots, their transformative impact, and regulatory frameworks, this review offers a valuable insight into the future of intelligent, adaptable, and human-centred industrial automation.